Illinois state Sen. Tim Bivins is cautioning federal and state officials not to proceed hastily concerning a decision on where to house terrorist suspects -- especially now that Illinois' Thomson Correctional Center reportedly is the front-runner among possible prisons.

Bivins, R-Dixon, last week was among lawmakers and corrections officials to tour the Thomson facility.

The proposal to house Guantanamo Bay detainees at the nearly vacant northwest Illinois prison has sparked criticism from some government officials and Illinois residents, who expressed safety and security concerns. Critics also say that Illinois' prison system is already well over capacity, and Thomson should instead be used to reduce overcrowding at other state facilities.

Bivins said much more information is needed before a decision is made.

"At the briefing and tour Monday ... I asked the Governor's (Pat Quinn) chief of operations Jack Lavin if there is a plan in place for using the proceeds from the sale of the prison (to the federal government. His response was, 'I think we are getting ahead of ourselves,' " Bivins said in a news release. "I responded that I thought we should get ahead of ourselves before making a decision of this magnitude."

Perhaps he is getting the cart ahead of the horse. Federal officials also have toured a shuttered prison in the northeast Michigan town of Standish, as well as Florence, Colo., and Hardin, Mont. But Bivins recommends taking some of the proceeds from the sale of the prison and putting that money toward helping the state's overcrowded corrections system. Some 1,600 inmates could be housed at Thomson, requiring 800 to 900 employees.

"Compare that to the prison in Dixon with 2,200 inmates and fewer than 600 employees," he said.

And then there is the small matter of the big debt. Bivins said the state still owes $80 million on the Thomson prison. The village floated about $12 million in bonds for a new wastewater treatment system, which still needs to be paid.

"We need to look at the entirety of the situation," the senator said. "We should open up the process. If we are going to sell Thomson, let's get the best possible price for it. Are there any other bidders out there?"

Bivins and his fellow lawmakers might not have much of a say in the process. Quinn has said he could sell the prison by declaring it surplus property.

Jochum touts fiscal responsibility

Iowa state Sen. Pam Jochum says good habits and new ideas will help Iowa recover from recession.

The Dubuque Democrat asserts the state has put a "premium on fiscal responsibility," and she says there are some signs that those efforts are paying off. Jochum pointed to a national study by the Pew Center for the States ranking Iowa second nationally when it comes to fiscal strength.

The report -- "Beyond California: States in Fiscal Peril" -- rates Iowa and other states on foreclosure rates, joblessness, loss of state revenue, state budget gaps, balanced budgets, and money-management practices. Iowa finished only behind Wyoming.

Illinois and Wisconsin were among the states considered at grave financial risk.

Approval rating for Culver drops

Iowa might be more fiscally sound than other states, but that doesn't seem to mean much to voters' sentiments on their governor.

A recent poll for The Des Moines Register shows Gov. Chet Culver's job approval rating has fallen to 40 percent, a 20 percentage point decline since January.

The poll also showed the Democrat losing by 24 percentage points in a matchup with former Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, who is edging toward seeking the GOP nomination. Culver also trailed Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats by eight points.

About 34 percent of Iowans say the state is headed in the right direction.

Kind to discuss agricultural issues

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., will hold a live discussion on agriculture and dairy issues from 6:50-7:50 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2.

The telephone town hall meeting allows Kind to reach many 3rd Congressional District residents at once.

At the start of the call, a random selection of households will receive a call from the congressman inviting them to participate in the telephone town hall. Constituents will then have the option of staying on the line to hear a few comments by Kind followed by the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session.

Interested constituents may dial into the telephone town hall at 877-269-7289 and using the code 15311.